Will Renewable Energy survive political compromising?

Thanksgiving is almost here. Mukasey is now Attorney General. Forces are still in Iraq. And … the Democratic Party base looks to the Hill and wonders: what is going on? The leadership, it seems, wants to ensure that there is movement, somewhere, prior to the holidays. With $100 oil staring us in the face, a new Energy Bill seems to be a great opportunity to have a triumph to celebrate with Thanksgiving turkey.

What we must fear, however, is that last minute compromising to ensure ‘something’ could make a turkey out of the bill … or, at least, make it far less attractive than what might have been the case without a holiday on the schedule.

There are emails from MoveOn, Vote Solar, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, etc warning that, due to political issues, the House and Senate might remove some renewable energy elements from the Energy Bill so that the members can go back home for Thanksgiving with a “success” under their belts.

The environmental community looks united in trying to gain voices to strengthen the resolve (mainly in the Senate) for ensuring renewable power in the final bill.

The ‘removal’ is not, as far as I am aware, a done deal. It is, however, something that seems to merit real concern and action.

From the CCAN email (below):

Talking Points:

America needs a strong energy bill that includes both high miles-per-gallon standards AND mandates for renewable energy;

Clean energy means jobs and energy independence.

America needs carbon-free renewable energy immediately. Tons of it.

Renewable energy is a key component in the war against climate change.

The energy bill must extend investment tax credits for solar.

A good energy bill will include all of the following:

A minimum 35 mpg by 2020 fuel efficiency standard similar to legislation that passed in the Senate in the summer of 2007.

A Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) similar to the legislation passed in the House that will require utilities to provide AT LEAST 15% of their electricity from renewable energy resources like wind, solar, biomass by 2020.

Strong Energy Efficiency and conservation measures.

The inclusion of the Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847).

These are excellent and serious points worth using to reinforce members of Congress to support a strong energy bill.

Below are three emails that I’ve received either directly or indirectly.

The energy bill could finally come to a full vote soon and not a
moment too soon. With oil about to hit $100 a barrel, America
desperately needs to set a different course.

But late last night, we heard that Congressional leaders are
considering dropping the mandates for clean energy alternatives.

We only have a couple of days to turn this around, or America’s clean
energy future will be a lot less bright.

Can you call your representatives? Tell them that an energy bill
without support for solar and wind is not what we ordered and ask them
to urge leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to stand firm on support
for renewable energy.

When you call you can say, “America needs clean energy now. Please
urge Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi to keep tax credits and portfolio
standards for solar and wind in our energy bill.”

Wind and solar are just starting to compete in the marketplace with
the dirty energy sources that have received government support for
decades. The tax package and required renewable energy standard will
cement our path toward a clean energy future and away from the fossil
fuels that are causing global warming. We can’t let congressional
leaders strip these provision from the energy bill.

Can you call now and tell them we need their support for a clean energy future?

ALL HANDS ON DECK –
KEEP THE FEDERAL ENERGY BILL STRONG!

Dear XXXX,

The federal energy bill could finally come to a full vote soon and not a moment too soon. With oil about to hit $100 a barrel, America desperately needs to set a different course. Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi are looking to move forward with the energy legislation early next week and the leadership has a tough fight ahead of them. We need all hands on deck to ensure that the bill stays strong!

Here’s what you can do:

Contact Senator Reid and Senator Pelosi, tell them:”Hi, my name is ____________ and I’m calling to encourage you to stay strong on the federal energy bill. I – and about 90% of America – would really like to see more renewable energy and high miles-per-gallon standards and I am counting on you to provide leadership with this energy bill. Thank you.”Pelosi’s office number is 202- 225-4965
Reid’s office number is 202-224-3542

Then you should call your Congressman or woman and get them all fired up on this too. You can find your congressional leader here.When you call you can say, “America needs a comprehensive energy bill and clean energy now. Please encourage Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi to stay strong on the energy bill and keep mandates for renewable energy in our energy bill.”

Talking Points:

America needs a strong energy bill that includes both high miles-per-gallon standards AND mandates for renewable energy;

Clean energy means jobs and energy independence.

America needs carbon-free renewable energy immediately. Tons of it.

Renewable energy is a key component in the war against climate change.

The energy bill must extend investment tax credits for solar.

A good energy bill will include all of the following:

A minimum 35 mpg by 2020 fuel efficiency standard similar to legislation that passed in the Senate in the summer of 2007.

A Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) similar to the legislation passed in the House that will require utilities to provide AT LEAST 15% of their electricity from renewable energy resources like wind, solar, biomass by 2020.

If the crushing of hope were a renewable resource, then this Congress would be on the cutting edge of the clean energy revolution. As it is, though, we have a red alert. Congressional leadership is dropping the ball on renewable energy , and we need your help to get back on track.

On Thursday morning, Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi decided to drop the renewable energy standard out of the energy bill and drop the tax title. No tax title means no extension of the investment tax credit for solar, and no extenstion of the production tax credit for wind.
Let’s see¦nothing for solar, plus nothing for wind, hmmm, add no renewable energy standard, carry the zero¦yep, that adds up to precisely nothing for renewable energy.

Got that? Congressional leadership is moving an energy bill with nothing in it for renewable energy. Dropping the biggest pro-solar provision this country has ever seen, just when the industry is gaining momentum and making an impact.We’ve got maybe 24 hours to turn this around. We suggest calling until the Capitol switchboard melts. Can you ask your representative to pass the renwable energy message to Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi?Â A suggested script might go like this:

“Hi. My name is__. I, and 90% of America, would like more renewable energy. It’s not a tough call, since it’s pretty clear that the future of the world depends on it. So, please tell Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi to include a 8-year extension for the solar investment tax credits in the energy bill. Thank you.”

…

Additional talking points include:

* Clean energy means jobs and energy independence.
* America needs carbon-free renewable energy, now.
* The fight against global warming will only be won by a transition to renewable energy.
* The energy bill must extend investment tax credits for solar.
* Our future depends on some strong leadership.Â Isn’t that what leaders are supposed to do?

A Master plan for energy that involves serious research into the cost benefit of different renewable plans.Wind turbines are a misuse of taxpayer dollars.It is expensive and unreliable.Taxpayers are filling the pockets of foreign investors. The only thing GREEN in wind is the money.

Dorayne — Thanks for commenting, but I wish that you had used factual information as the basis for you comment rather than truthiness. Relative to support for other energy sources — such as fossil fuel — the 1.9 cents/kwh is quite low in terms of support. And, well, there is also the quite serious question of secondary benefit. How much are fewer asthma cases and lower pollution worth to the larger society? For example …